5 Shocking Details Behind The Pepe Cheating On Iris Scandal: Love Island's Quickest Breakup And The New Man

The whirlwind romance between *Love Island USA* Season 7 finalists Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez and Iris Kendall crashed and burned almost as quickly as it started, culminating in a dramatic post-show breakup fueled by explosive cheating rumors. The saga, which unfolded in the public eye shortly after the season finale, has become a cautionary tale for reality TV couples. As of today, December 10, 2025, the dust has largely settled, but the core question remains: did Pepe cheat on Iris, and what exactly happened in the days following their departure from the Fiji villa? This deep dive explores the timeline, the denials, the alleged third party, and Iris’s surprising and immediate pivot to another islander. The split was confirmed just days after the couple finished their journey on the popular dating show, sending shockwaves through the *Love Island* fanbase who had rooted for the seemingly solid pair. What began with Iris Kendall unfollowing Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez on social media quickly escalated into a full-blown scandal involving public statements, ex-girlfriends, and a complete relationship reset for one of the stars.

Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez and Iris Kendall: A Biographical Profile

The pairing of Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez and Iris Kendall was one of the more unexpected connections of *Love Island USA* Season 7. They entered the villa as bombshells and found a late-game connection that propelled them to the final four couples.

• Full Name: Jose “Pepe” Garcia-Gonzalez
• Background: Former professional basketball player.
• Role on *Love Island USA*: Bombshell.
• Relationship Status: Single, following split with Iris Kendall. Denies all cheating allegations.

• Full Name: Iris Kendall
• Background: Los Angeles-based influencer and content creator.
• Role on *Love Island USA*: Bombshell.
• Relationship Status: Reportedly in a relationship with fellow Season 7 islander TJ Palma.

The Immediate Post-Villa Split and Cheating Allegations

The relationship between Pepe and Iris was short-lived outside of the *Love Island* villa. Despite confirming they were exclusive and excited about their future during the final episodes, the couple officially announced their split just three days after the Season 7 finale aired. The breakup announcement was quickly overshadowed by intense speculation of infidelity. The rumors began to swirl on social media, with fans noticing that Iris Kendall had unfollowed Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez on Instagram and had deleted all photos of him from her feed. This action was seen by many as a clear indication that the separation was not amicable and that something significant had occurred.

The Alleged Third Party: Who is 'Melissa'?

The most damaging element of the rumor mill was the allegation that Pepe had cheated on Iris with a woman named "Melissa." While details surrounding the alleged incident remain murky, the name Melissa became a key entity in the online discussion surrounding the scandal. Pepe, however, has consistently and strongly denied all allegations of infidelity. In a statement to TMZ, Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez confirmed the breakup, simply saying, "That's just the way it goes," but he was explicit in shooting down the cheating rumors, stating there was "no truth" to the speculation.

Pepe's Ex-Girlfriend Weighs In

The narrative intensified when another entity entered the public discussion: an ex-girlfriend of Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez. According to reports on social media and fan discussions on platforms like Reddit, Pepe's ex allegedly came forward and publicly called him a "liar" in the wake of his denial of the cheating allegations. This outside commentary, while unverified by major news outlets, added significant fuel to the fire, causing many fans to doubt Pepe's version of events and lean toward believing the rumors of infidelity. The combination of Iris's social media cleanse, the specific naming of a third party ("Melissa"), and the public statement from an ex-partner created a perfect storm of scandal that cemented the narrative of a dramatic split for the *Love Island USA* couple.

Iris Kendall’s Surprising Reconciliation with TJ Palma

Perhaps the most surprising twist in the entire post-breakup saga was Iris Kendall's quick pivot and apparent reconciliation with another contestant from *Love Island USA* Season 7, TJ Palma. TJ Palma was one of Iris's initial connections in the villa, but their relationship fizzled out, allowing her to couple up with Pepe later on. Rumors of Iris and TJ Palma rekindling their romance began circulating shortly after the Pepe split, fueled by social media posts and public sightings. Iris Kendall appeared to confirm the rekindled relationship in an Instagram post, signaling a complete emotional and romantic disconnect from her recent past with Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez.

Pepe Addresses the New Relationship on Podcast

The new coupling became a major talking point, even prompting Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez to address it publicly. He opened up about the aftermath of his split from Iris Kendall and her subsequent reconciliation with TJ Palma during an appearance on the "Sorry We're Not Cyrus" podcast. Pepe's commentary on the podcast provided a fresh perspective on the situation, allowing him to express his feelings about seeing his ex move on with a former castmate. This public discussion further solidified the *Love Island USA* Season 7 love triangle/square as one of the most talked-about post-show dramas in the show's history. The speed of the new relationship suggested that Iris was determined to move past the alleged cheating scandal and find a genuine connection, even if it meant circling back to a former flame from the villa.

The Final Verdict on the Cheating Rumors

Despite the overwhelming social media buzz, the public statements from Pepe's ex-girlfriend, and the specific mention of "Melissa," there remains no concrete, independently verified evidence to definitively confirm that Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez cheated on Iris Kendall. However, the sequence of events—Iris Kendall unfollowing Pepe and deleting their shared memories, the rapid confirmation of the split, and the almost immediate public reconciliation between Iris and TJ Palma—painted a compelling picture for the public. Pepe's consistent denials to outlets like People and TMZ stand in stark contrast to the widespread speculation and the actions of his former partner. The story of Pepe and Iris serves as a reminder of the intense scrutiny and pressure that relationships formed on reality television face once the cameras stop rolling. While Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez maintains his innocence regarding the infidelity, the relationship with Iris Kendall is officially over, and both parties have clearly moved on to their next chapters.